Thursday, January 15, 2009

A Lace Shawl for Betty

It's been over a month since I've written and I've completed quite a few knitting projects. My computer was so cranky and slow. We finally got some software that took all the evil bugs out. I'm still getting some weird messages occasionally (runtime error, etc) but overall it is running well.

My latest finished project is Wool Peddler's Shawl from Cheryl Oberle's book Folk Shawls. I absolutely love this pattern. There was just enough garter stitch to get me into a trance and then when I grew tired of it, it was time for lace. I bought the yarn when my LYS had a sale in December: buy one skein and get the second one at half price. It is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino and I'm totally spoiled now. I splurged on this project because it is a gift for a friend, a P.E.O. sister, whose husband died at the end of December. They had a difficult fight with cancer. She already received a prayer shawl from our group, Knit One Pray Too, but I wanted to make her something special that she can actually wear. (The prayer shawls we make are more like afghans.) The yarn is total luxury and I am praying that she will feel comforted as she puts it over her shoulders. It is the softest shawl I've ever made.

The only change I made is on the edging. I made the YO two stitches in from the edge instead of one stitch. This worked better with the way I do my edge which I explained in a previous post. I actually had 1/3 of the shawl completed and frogged it in order to neaten up the edge. I'm really glad I did because it still took less than two weeks to make, even with that re-start.

Lace usually improves after blocking but I really like the 3-dimensional quality of the unblocked lace pattern in this shawl. I especially like the undulating edge where the garter stitch and lace meet.

6 comments:

I don't believe I would block it either. I love the texture! When I first saw your post I let out a huge sigh because it's very cold here today, and that shawl looks very cozy. I know your sister will feel the warmth and love that you put into that special gift.